Week 3

Experimental Methods
23 September, 2015
03.01 Experimental Methods

Read pp. 25-29 from Section 1.3: Research in Psychology:

Experimental Methods of the Course Companion eText.
Read pp. 1-10 from Experimental Methods of the Course Companion
eText.

https://webcontent.pamojaeducation.com/Content/sso/course-companion/psychologyeText/course%20companion/025-029_IBCC_PSYCHOL_1.3.pdf
Research in psychology: experimental methods

goal of an experiment is to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two

variables
aim of the study is to see if one variable has an effect on another variable
The variable that causes a change in the other variable is called the independent
variable
The variable that is measured after the manipulation of the independent variable
is called the dependent variable
variables need to be operationalized- to be written in such a way that it is clear
what is being measured
experimental hypothesis predicts the relationship between the IV and the DV
that is, what we expect will come out of the manipulation of the independent
variable
control condition, because we compare the two condition in order to see if there
is a difference
null hypothesis states that the IV will have no effect on the DV, or that any
change in the IV will be due to chance
strict control of variables in a laboratory experiment (easy to replicate)
field experimentthat is, the experiment takes place in a natural environment,
but the researchers still manipulate variables
natural experiment is an experiment where the researchers have no control over
the variables.
Confounding variables are undesirable variables that influence the relationship
between the independent and dependent variables
o Demand characteristics: This is when participants act differently simply
because they know that they are in an experiment
single blind control, which means that the participants do not know
what the study is about.
o Researcher bias: this is when the experimenter sees what he or she is
looking for
double blind control can help to avoid this

Participant variability: This is when characteristics of the sample affect the

dependent variable
artificiality. This is when the situation created is so unlikely to occur that one has
to wonder if there is any validity in the findings
positive correlation is when both variables are affected in the same way. As x
increases, y increases.
negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases
bidirectional ambiguity- not knowing which variable is causing the other (causeand-effect relationship)
o

https://webcontent.pamojaeducation.com/Content/sso/course-companion/psychologyeText/Experimental%20Methods.pdf
Experimental Methods 1. What Are Experimental Methods? ExperimentsLaboratory,
Field, Natural 2. Hypothesis Creation and Testing A. Hypothesis Creation Research
Hypothesis Null Hypothesis One-tailed and two-tailed Hypotheses B. Hypothesis Testing
Levels of Significance Errors 3. Variables A. Independent Variable B. Dependent
Variable C. Controlled Variable 4. Strengths and Limitations of Experimental Methods A.
Strengths B. Limitations C. Combining Approaches
strengths:
Controlthrough sampling and design.
Ability to produce statements regarding cause-and-effect, through the use of controlled
experiments.
Statistical testing allows for thorough data analysis.
Reliability because easily replicable
limitations:
Difficulty in controlling all the variables.
Because of human agency, people do not all respond in the same ways as inert matter
in the physical sciences.
Quantification can become an end in itself.
Failing to take account of the individual meaning that people ascribe to their
experiences.
Objectivity is an illusion because the researcher is subjectively involved in the choice of
a problem as worthy of investigation and in the interpretation of the results.

How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 2 of 5,

"What Students Should Know About How People
Learn"
Professor Stephen Chew

Read p. 27 Be a thinker from Section 1.3: Research in Psychology: Experimental

Methods of the Course Companion eText and review the experimental scenario.

Discussing Experimental
Design
There is mounting evidence that music can have important physical and psychological effects. A
number of studies have investigated such effects of music on behavior, physiological
performance, intelligence, learning, pain tolerance and health.
For example it has been hypothesized that music, in particular Mozart, can improve academic
performance. Another area of interest is the impact of various types of music on athletic
performance. Here the hypothesis is that high tempo music increases running speed and
endurance. Lastly, there is interest in determining whether music can influence physiological
aspects of human functioning like blood pressure. Here the hypothesis is that quiet and calming
music can reduce blood pressure.

Design an experiment to test one of these hypotheses. Identify how you would obtain
a representative sample from a target population and what procedures you would
use to arrive at a valid conclusion. In particular explain how you would ensure that
your experiment is ethical. Be concise and aim to write no more than 250 words.
Post your experiment here, in this discussion forum, providing all the necessary
information so that your classmates can evaluate your design.
Comment on the design of one or two of your classmates. In particular outline what
you see as the strengths and limitations of the experimental method used. Work
together as a class so that all members receive feedback, which means that you
should not be the second to comment on an experiment if there are classmates who
are still waiting for feedback.

Hypothesis: If students listen to quiet and calming music, then their blood pressure will be
reduced.
Sampling: A laboratory experiment would be conducted. 100 students chosen randomly from
grades 9 to 12 will be asked to participate at an American high school.
Procedure: Blood pressure would be tested from each of the students before at arrival. After
listening to a quiet and calm song, their blood pressure will be tested and recorded once again.
Variables: The IV would be whether or not calming music is listened to and the DV will be blood
pressure.
Ethics: All students will be aware of the aim of the investigation, which means there will be no
deception. There will be no physical or mental harm to the participant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFV71QPvX2I